Fayetteville, AR Wrongful Death Lawyer
When a family loses someone they love because of another person’s negligence, no verdict or settlement can bring them back. But a Fayetteville wrongful death claim can hold the responsible party accountable and help your family recover the financial support you have lost.
Entz Law Arkansas Family & Injury Lawyers stands beside families across Northwest Arkansas after a preventable death, from the first phone call through the final resolution of the case.
Entz Law Arkansas Family & Injury Lawyers is led by attorney Tyler Entz, a lifelong Fayetteville trial lawyer who has represented families and individuals throughout Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley. He is a member of the Arkansas Bar Association, and he brings that same courtroom-tested preparation to every Fayetteville wrongful death lawyer case our firm handles. As a wrongful death law firm built on family law and injury work, we know how to talk with grieving clients and how to build a claim that insurance companies take seriously.
Our office sits at 1725 S Smoke House Trl, Fayetteville, AR 72701kansas, just off Wedington Drive on the city’s west side. If your family lost a loved one because of a car crash, a defective product, a nursing home’s neglect, or another preventable event, call us today at 479-251-8635 or schedule a confidential consultation. We answer calls and texts from families across Northwest Arkansas who need answers now, not next week.
Recent Review
“Tyler is attentive, well spoken, and fact-driven. He helped my family through a very difficult time and I cannot recommend him highly enough. He walked my family through every step of the process so we were never in the dark about what was going on, or what the next step was. He’s a good man and even better attorney.”
- Verified Avvo Review from Devon
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim Under Arkansas Law?
Arkansas law allows certain family members to bring a claim when a death is caused by someone else’s wrongful act, neglect, or default. This right comes from Ark. Code § 16-62-102, the state’s wrongful death statute. The law lets a family step into the shoes of their loved one and pursue the same case that person could have brought had they survived the injury.
A wrongful death claim is different from a criminal case. Even if no one is ever charged with a crime, your family may still have a civil claim for damages if negligence caused the death.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Arkansas?
A wrongful death claim is generally filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. If no representative has been named, certain family members may bring the claim themselves. Under Arkansas’s wrongful death statute, eligible beneficiaries include:
- The surviving spouse, children, parents, brothers, and sisters of the deceased
- Anyone who legally stood in the place of a parent of the deceased
- Anyone who the deceased stood in the place of a parent, at any point in their life
If you are unsure whether you qualify, a Fayetteville wrongful death attorney can review your family’s situation and explain your options at no cost.
What Compensation May Be Available?
Arkansas law allows a jury, or a judge in cases without a jury, to award damages that are fair and just compensation for the family’s loss. Depending on the facts of your case, compensation may include funeral and burial costs, medical bills from before death, lost income and financial support, loss of companionship, and mental anguish suffered by surviving family members. The law recognizes that grief connected to losing a loved one is a real, compensable loss.
Arkansas Wrongful Death Deadlines
Most wrongful death claims in Arkansas must be filed within three years of the date of death. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your family from recovering compensation, no matter how strong the case might be. Some situations, such as claims tied to certain criminal convictions, allow more time, but you should never assume your case falls into an exception. The sooner you speak with our wrongful death lawyer team, the sooner we can start preserving evidence before it disappears.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death Cases We Handle
We represent Fayetteville families after fatal incidents, including car and truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian and bicycle accidents, defective products, dangerous property conditions, and nursing home neglect. Nationally, unintentional injuries are the third leading cause of death, according to the CDC, which is why so many families in Northwest Arkansas find themselves searching for a wrongful death law firm they can trust after a sudden loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer to file a wrongful death claim in Arkansas?
You are not legally required to hire an attorney, but insurance companies have their own lawyers working to limit what they pay. Having your own advocate levels the playing field and helps make sure your claim accounts for your family’s full loss.
How much does it cost to hire a wrongful death attorney?
Our firm handles wrongful death cases on a contingency basis, meaning you pay no upfront fees. We only get paid if we recover compensation for your family.
What if my loved one was partly at fault?
Arkansas follows a comparative fault system, so your family may still recover compensation even if your loved one shared some responsibility for the accident. Fault percentages can reduce, but do not always eliminate, a claim.
Contact Our Fayetteville Wrongful Death Attorneys Today
No amount of preparation makes losing a family member easier, but you do not have to face the legal side of it alone. Entz Law Arkansas Family & Injury Lawyers is ready to listen to your story, answer your questions, and help your family pursue the accountability and compensation you deserve.
Call us today at 479-251-8635 or reach out through our contact page to schedule a confidential consultation. We will treat your family’s loss with the care and respect it deserves.